Reading and absorbing scripture has not only not been a strong point in my life – it’s a very weak area for me.

I have difficulty with reading comprehension to begin with – so reading scripture has always been frustrating. And add to it all of today’s distractions, my only “scripture reading” comes from Sunday’s messages and blogs such as this – where it’s transcribed in a practical manner that I can understand.

I wish the circumstances were different…

Anyone have any suggestions?

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Great topic!

I try to carry, in my pocket, a few scriptures written down. I can pull this out and ruminate while I’m on my walk (2x a day–if I can push myself out the door!)

I work to memorize, I work to ponder those God-breathed words. I used to have (not anymore, but I need it) scriptures typed and framed (very pretty) at my sink as I washed dishes, or on the mirror over the bathroom sink, taped to car radio, or homemade bookmark for the fiction book I was currently reading (made me weigh the value of my time). Need to do that again, I’ve really gotten away from that. I just tried to have them where ever I spent time in normal places throughout the day. (Didn’t realize I no longer do that until you asked–thx!)

But lately, just my pocket, trying to etch it into my heart with memorizing as I go through the day.

Paula, I know. Sister, I’m right there with you for too many seasons than I’d care to admit. If you have pockets, or a way to put them in front of you a few places you’ll spend time during your day, try that. In your car so while it warms up you can run your eyes over the words, or frame on pretty scrapbook paper a few scriptures in the amplified, or whatever version helps you with the comprehension. I have that comprehension difficulty also. But God wants us to hear His word, absorb His word, so pray over it also, because it’s something He’s opened His hand to us on–let that encourage your heart. Don’t focus on not getting it, just make steps toward getting it in front of you and all around you. And decorate it to go with your decor at home or at work, frame it and buy a frame stand to have it at your sink or where ever you can’t hang it. Or tape it here or there. Those are my suggestions, they work for me WHEN I EMPLOY THEM, LOL, but I’m caught–I’ve let some of those methods/tools slip away.

Now I’m aware I have done that, and I’m going to change that today by surrounding myself with scriptures. I try to memorize chapters verse by verse, only whatever few I can handle and not be overwhelmed at one time. I had the hardest time comprehending Col. ch 3. But once I started memorizing it, I think because I was focusing on it so much–’handling’ it, understanding came in layers, and not really deep at first, but God will bathe you and you will understand what His heart wants to share as you are faithful. Now, I think I’ve actually written this more to myself than to you, so I must go DO, right now, as I’ve suggested to you. I’ll pray for you, dear sister, please pray for me. We’re really at the same place, it sounds like. You have a desire and it’s one God has for you. He wants to reveal Himself to you/us, connect intimately with us, and He will as you work to be ruthless with yourself. Try stuff, anything to surround yourself in His word throughout your ordinary day.

If you can’t get to that Bible, well, then spread those life-giving, heart-changing words around your life.

A big cyber hug for you, girl!
Tina Dee´s last blog ..Nook vs. Kindle

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That is so funny you post this! Illuminate will be launching a new series in the Spring addressing the issue about how we are plugged in to everything yet connected to nothing. Admist all the music, television, drama, social networking sites etc…..do we often stop long enough and drown out all the noise in our head to hear the Holy Spirit? To listen for His beckoning?

Great post Pete!
Tiffany´s last blog ..What Does Family look like to you?

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For me, I find I need to be in a place where all of those things you just listed are not available…I generally go to my sunroom…I can see the woods all around my house but there is no phone, tv, desk with a stack of mail/bills, computer…nothing but a few pieces of furniture. I take my bible/journal/books and it seems I can focus there.

I hope you have a wonderful time of rest and renewal in the Smoky Mountains…one of my favorite places in the world (my hubs is from Maryville in the foothills)…I also find the great outdoors does the trick too so praying you find that this weekend.
joyce´s last blog ..48 Hours

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Taking the time to absorb the scriptures happens throughout my day. To start I take a post-it note or 3×5 card with the verses I want to focus on then I take these with me on my morning “prayer” walk. To be honest sometimes this walk turns into time on a bench by our local lake just “digesting” this piece of His word written on tiny bits of paper. At other times His Word fuels my feet for another lap around.
I don’t go into His word with a set goal of “I need to read this and that by xxx date and time”. I go with where His Heart is leading me.

Absorbing His word. Letting it permeate every part of my life Means making my walk with Him an Intentional part of my Life. The posture of my heart daily wants to learn more, to speak with him, to hear from him…and that makes calming the busy to focus on His Word worth every effort on my part.
This is where I start…
jessica´s last blog ..Autumn’s Path

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That’s awesome, enjoy your noise-less time!!!!!!!
Lauren Kelly´s last blog ..WIMAUMA did you send me here??

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So true! There are so many distractions in life today. All of them clamoring for our attention. I have an hour and a half of reading, journaling, study time each morning. Some mornings I am focused and absorbing and some mornings I am distracted and continually having to refocus myself. I usually pray before I begin reading that my time will be free from distraction and that my eyes, ears, heart and mind are willing and open to receive. But I noticed recently that I often internalize a message when I write about it and how it applies in my life or circumstances. It draws me nearer to my Creator and I love that!
Chrystie´s last blog ..Too Good To Be True?

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Now see! You are one more person in my pinball machine head today (it’s pretty crowded in there lately)

……I *just* blogged today about the need to stop the chaos, slow down and be still.

enjoy your trip!
*~Michelle~*´s last blog ..Stop the ride…I’m gonna puke.

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I spend a lot of time at my computer lately. I love my computer. I also love reading, words, and playing with language. A friend of mine told me about a website called studylight.org which she uses when teaching Bible lessons and for personal study.

I like to head over there and use the “Search the Bible” box to really dig into Scripture. I usually type in a passage that has come up in a conversation or a book and under Bible translation I select “NAS with Strong’s Numbers.” When the passage comes up on the screen, certain words are underlined. When I click on these words I get the original definitions in Hebrew or Greek (and a lot more information), and under “Word Origin” there is usually a number which I can click on to track back to the word that word came from.

I know it’s completely geeky, but I often find this a more personal way of letting Scripture speak to me. Sometimes when I track a word all the way back to its origin, I end up discovering that what I have been taught a word means isn’t really what that word means. And I end up meditating on it or questioning it and want to dig deeper.

It may not work for everyone (or anyone) else, but it works for me.

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I was having trouble too getting scripture into me. There are so many scriptures about transformation coming from hearing the word and medatating in it. I would read and re-read and wonder why my mind wouldn’t be transformed and actions wouldn’t change.
I decided i better start memorizing scripture. I had just read through James and there were some passages that really rocked me, so i started commiting it to memory and i was amazed at how often those scriptures would come to mind for correction in myself or helping a friend. You can get it going pretty fast by pulling out your bible while waiting for the subway or while you’re stuck in traffic.

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Hey, I just blogged about what I do. I journal. AKA – “brain dump on paper” and it’s amazing.
Lex´s last blog ..How to get more out of scripture

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I pray before I begin reading the scripture….asking God to do it ALL!!
DEb´s last blog ..IT’S HUNTING SEASON!!

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I have found that statement to be very true. With all the distractions, it is challenging to just sit still, listen and wait on God.

I find the best way to absorb the scriptures I am reading, is to absorb them while I read them. It is the most effective way for me to absorb and retain the wisdom God is showing me.

In order to do this I shut the laptop, turn off the tv, radio & especially the phone and shut the door to the room.

I journal when I do this about my feelings, the scripture I’m reading, the wisdom God provides me, the prayers he’s answered and the great things he’s done in my life. I make it a point to give him the undivided attention that he has given me so many times.

It took a while to develop this and some great talks from my pastor on silently waiting on God. When I take these steps, I am never disappointed!!

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Several things I have to do to absorb:

Make it the first thing of my day. Nothing else. Period. (Well, the cup of coffee that I get on the way to my “place”)

I ask God to take care of it for me. Having ADOS makes it hard anyway. (That’s Attention Deficit — OH! Shiny!)

I use a specific Bible and a journal. As I read, I use a pencil to underline the words that jump out at me and often write notes of the concepts that spring forth from that reading. Right then, otherwise, it’s gone.

Then, again, I have to ask God to make it stick, to pour it so deep into my soul that it becomes who I am. Does this always work? Nope. Mostly, though.
Faye´s last blog ..I didn’t want to — now I am & loving it!

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I think this is especially true for men. We see reading the Bible through in one year as a challenge, but probably couldn’t tell you what it said a week after.

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